As we gather this Sunday, we are invited to reflect on profound moments in the lives of two extraordinary figures in Scripture: the Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Peter. Both of these men—each with their own limitations and feelings of unworthiness—responded faithfully to God’s call, teaching us that our own insecurities can be transformed into vessels of divine purpose.
Let us first turn our attention to Isaiah. In the magnificence of his vision, he stood before the holy presence of God, the King above every other, surrounded by seraphim proclaiming His glory. Yet, Isaiah felt a deep sense of despair, declaring, “Woe is me! I am doomed!” He recognized his own unclean lips and the uncleanliness of the people he lived among. But it’s crucial to notice here that God did not reject him because of his imperfections. Instead, God sent a seraph to purify him, to remove his wickedness and to prepare him for a divine mission. We too, not only has God purified us initially through Baptism, but over and over again, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He gives us a clean slate so we can move forward. This divine mercy opened Isaiah’s heart to God's will, where he ultimately responded with a resounding, “Here I am, send me!” God’s call to us doesn’t hinge upon our perceived unworthiness but on His infinite grace. Just as He purged Isaiah’s lips, so does He purify our hearts, inviting us to participate in His holy work. Who among us is without sin, and yet, God has called each of us for something special.
God is the eternal optimist, ever by our side to encourage us to choose what is good and holy in life, which ends up contributing mostly to our own welfare at the end of the day, but also to that of so many others.
Now, let’s journey to the shores of the Lake of Gennesaret, where we meet Simon Peter. After an exhausting night of fishing, where all seemed futile, he encountered Jesus. Hearing Jesus’s command to cast the nets one more time, Simon hesitated—“Master, we have worked hard all night and caught nothing.” Yet, despite his doubts, he chose to trust and obey. His faith, however simple, led to an astonishing catch of fish, revealing to him the profound power of Christ. Left on our own, we will fail. United to Christ, we can do anything he sets us out to accomplish.
In that moment of revelation, Simon fell at Jesus’s knees, declaring, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Like Isaiah, Peter was acutely aware of his own sinfulness and limitation. But again, just as in the case of Isaiah, Jesus’s response was not to reject Simon—rather, it was an invitation to a new life. “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Jesus saw beyond Peter’s self-perception and his limitations, choosing him as a foundational figure for the Church.
We, too, are called by God to 'cast our nets' into the waters of our lives, serving Him where we are, even when we feel like we have little to offer. When things seem hopeless to us, we must learn to turn to God always and invite him to remain by our side, in the boat, at all times. God allows us to make our journey, but he is never far from our path. One mistake after another, he always gives us an opportunity to rise up, and try to be more careful.
As God not only chose both these men for something extraordinary, so too the Lord wishes to reveal things to us which are beyond our imagination. His vineyard is ripe and the gathering of the harvest is exciting, for what he has sown he will now reap, and what is yet to come he as asked us to be those who plant the seed. Like Isaiah and Peter, we too have it in us to collaborate with God’s infinite plan. May our Lady, Queen of the Prophets and the Apostles continue to be our example as to how we can humbly respond to God’s call in our lives. Amen.
Add comment
Comments